Should The Whole Country Bear The Cross?

A Christmas day was planned to be doomed for many families who had relatives on the Northwest Airlines Flight 253 heading to Detroit, Michigan, on the 25^th of December 2009. A Nigerian, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, born into a wealthy home and spoilt with no parental guidance, had joined the Al-Qaeda group and was to execute this suicidal task. The suicidal mission was blowing up the aircraft which contained 289 people – people who had plans for Christmas. Fortunately, the mission proved abortive. Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was caught before he could set off the weapons of mass destruction; the first big question is asked – “What actions should be taken as regards this ‘Nigerian’ who almost caused havoc on Christmas day?’’ However, most, if not all, Nigerians do not like the manner in which the question is framed. They would prefer it to be ‘‘What actions should be taken as regards this ‘Al-Qaeda member’ who almost caused havoc on Christmas day?’’ Although it doesn’t change the fact that the Al-Qaeda member is Nigerian, by birth, Nigerians do not want to be tagged as terrorists. The young man, who has made a bad name for himself, is facing the wrath of the law. Unfortunately, he has also made a bad name for his country; the second big question is asked ‘‘Should Nigeria be tagged as a terrorist country or ‘a country of interest’?’’ Using ethical analysis, according to Immanuel Kant’s principled point of view, the United States should shortlist Nigeria as a terrorist country because it is the ‘sensible’ thing to do for a man who tried to ruin Christmas – Only the Grinch ruins Christmas. In fairness, this is not reasonable because with all available facts and evidences Nigeria had no connection with the suicidal mission; why should brutal action be taken? However, according to J.S. Mills’ consequential point of view, the United States should not shortlist Nigeria as a terrorist country for a number of reasons. First, as mentioned earlier, Nigeria had no hand in the proposed attack on the 25^th of December 2010. Second, trade relations between the countries would reduce, and both countries would lose immensely from this. Third, and not the last, making Nigeria a country of interest would create a bad stereotype for all Nigerians which is quite unfair, because just one Nigerian was found to be part of the Al-Qaeda community; hence, unfair judgment of Nigerians as a whole is impractical.

Multiracial Challenges

Stereotypes have always grouped people into various racial types. ‘‘You are not black; you are a boriqua; you aint no moreno’’ (Santiago’s Puerto Rican friends 183) is a statement that portrays a stereotype that is common among the Puerto Ricans, which is characterized by one’s behavior. This form of characterization calls for a big question – What is a black and white behavior? The whole concept feels wrong when answers begin to arise. Moreover, the typical American culture basically doesn’t really care about one’s behavior as opposed to one’s skin color. With respect to the two varying race classifications, a mixed race individual is always in a dilemma while trying to classify himself or herself. From my own point of view, a mixed-raced person should not care about the stereotypes, and accept all his racial backgrounds as his. Though challenges, in form of discrimination, might arise, leaving behind a racial identity, for the purpose of ‘‘fitting into a particular society’’ is considered a sin to me.

Santiago, Roberto. ''Black and Latino'' Essence Magazine 

The Surmountable Task - Improving Race Relations

It is very sad, as well as unfortunate, to realize that a pigment on the skin, referred to as melanin, has caused a lot of unnecessary stigmatization among the black population throughout the United States, and the world at large. However, the minority population should understand that it is their responsibility to show the white population, currently known as the majority, that they are not different from them (the black population) in any way way besides the pigment, and so, should not be deprived of the ''white privileges.'' Some of the examples of the privileges mentioned by Barack Obama in his speech ''A More Perfect Union'' include access to loans for African-American business owners, access to FHA mortgages, access to the top schools in the nation, access to great jobs that pay well, and the list continues. Therefore, taking a leaf from the Obama's speech, to clinch all these privileges, to be recognized as one people, and ultimately, to be one nation, the black population should seize the initiative of leaving the past, which was rife with pain, segregation and unfairness, so that we do not become its victim. Also, African-Americans should be well educated and well aware of their environment so that they can work together with the ''majority population'', cancelling all forms of stereotypes and making America one nation. If all these appropriate steps are taken, no one would care if there is a pigment on whoever's skin.


Obama, Barack. ''A More Perfect Union.'' National Constitution Center, Philadelphia. 18 March 2008. Speech.